San Beda reaches D-League semisy

MANILA, Philippines —  Marinerong Pilipino-San Beda crushed Keanzel Basketball, 127-67, and roared into the semifinals of the 2024 PBA D-League Aspirants’ Cup yesterday at the Filoil EcoOil Centre in San Juan.

Fourteen players, including seven with double digits, racked up the scoring board in a scattered onslaught for the twice-to-beat Red Lions as they arranged a rematch with the CEU Scorpions in the best-of-three semifinals starting on Thursday.

Nygel Gonzales fired 17 points laced by six rebounds and three assists to show the way with solid support from Joshua Tagala (14), James Payosing (13), Joe Celzo (13), RC Calimag (12), Emmanuel Tagle (10) and Menard Songcuya (10).

“Welcome situation for us ‘yung tough loss namin against CEU. I want to see how we will react in the semis,” said coach Yuri Escueta, whose wards bowed to the Scorpions, 72-63, in the elims to miss out on an outright semifinal ticket.

The Red Lions nonetheless advanced behind a massive 84-point explosion in the second half.